George Mayo (1807 - 1894)

Born 8 Jan 1807 in Seend, Wiltshire, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Ellen Ann (Russell) Mayo — married 1852 in England

Descendants

Died 16 Dec 1894 at age 87 in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

George Mayo came free to the Colony of South Australia (1836-1900)

Born 1807 North Nibley, Gloucestershire, England. ^[1]

Died DEC 16 1894. Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. ^[2]

Immigration: DEC 04 1837. Lady Emma. ^[3]

Obituary ^[4]

THE LATE DR. MAYO. A PIONEER COLONIST

We much regret to announce the death in his eighty-eighth year of Dr. George Mayo, the well-known medioal practitioner of Adelaide, and one of the oldest identities of the city. The deceased quietly succumbed early on Sunday morning to the infirmities incident to old age.

Dr. Mayo was born in England on January 8, 1807, and was the fourth son of the Rev. Joseph Mayo, M.A., rector of Ozleworth Church, Gloucestershire. ... Educated for the medical profession Dr. Mayo studied at the Middlesex Hospital under Herbert Mayo, and becarne a member of the Royal College of Surgeons in London in January, 1829. For some years he practiced at Devizes, Wilts, and came to South Australia in 1836 [sic] in the ship Lady Emma. Soon afterwards he returned to England, but came back to the colony in July 1839, on board the barque Asia, when he determined to reside here permanently.

In 1851 the doctor again visited England, and was admitted a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in December of that year, returning to Ade laide in 1852. Ever since the doctor had always been in practice in Adelaide, and, to the surprise of many, continued a most active member of bis profession up to almost the time of the illness which culminated in his death. Especially in the early days Dr. Mayo was often called during the night as a medical adviser into townships in the hills and other places a considerable distance from the city, and incidents have been told of how he was frequently obliged in the darkness to dismount from his horse and feel for posts of fences and for trees to indicate the track which he wanted to take. As a family doctor he had the confidence of many an anxious mother, and was regarded with esteem by the whole community, being skilled in his profession, very careful, conscientious, and sympathetic, albeit a little bluff not to say eccentric in his manner. He was a good example of the old-fashioned family physician, such as good old Dr. Bayer, who was a contemporary, the late Dr. Gosse, Dr. Moore, and many other medical men of the past generation whom we have had amongst us.

On October 13. 1853, Dr. Mayo was appointed hon. medical officer at the Adelaide Hospital, and upon the death of Dr. R. W. Moore he became President of the Medical Board. We believe he performed the first operation for ovariotomy in the Adelaide Hospital. In October, 1857, Dr. Mayo was appointed to the Central Vaccine Board under Act 16 of 1853; ten years later a member of the General Committee for the management of the Adelaide Hospital; and in January, 1868, one of the Board of Management, on which he sat for a great many years. On November 24, 1876, he was made Hon. Consulting Surgeon to the Hospital. For a considerable time, too, the pauper lunatics charged at the City Police Court were referred to him for medical examination. The doctor always had a lucrative practice, and particularly in the early years of the colony he was much sought after.

Volunteers of the early days, when the Enfield was the most formidable rifle of the time, cannot forget the figure of dear old Dr. Mayo, who was an enthusiastic member of the Defence Force. In 1859 he was captain of the West Adelaide Rifles, and after some promotions a lieutenant-colonel in August, 1863. Two years later he was presented with a silver salver and claret jug from members of the corps.

Outside his profession, with the exception of his association with the Volunteers in former years, the doctor did not actively interest himself in public matters, for he was of a somewhat retiring disposition, and found that his medical duties absorbed the greater part of his time. He was, however, one of the original trustees of Trinity Church, on North-terrace, and was associated with that historical place up to the time of his death. The inscription on the foundation of the schoolroom east of the old Church shows that the stone was laid by Dr. Mayo on May 7, 1887.

He was known to be averse to anything like public notoriety, and had a strong objection to being photographed. It was said that when he was addressing the audience in the Town Hall in September, 1879, assembled at the opening of the bazaar in aid of the Trinity Church Building Fund, a suggestion was made that the doctor should be photographed among the group on the platform, but in deference to his known wishes the suggestion was not acted upon. The only photograph of the worthy doctor is one in a group taken years ago, and now owned by his daughter, Mrs. Reid.

The doctor's residence was on the block at the north-eastern corner of Franklin and Morphett street—one of the few original city acres now left intact. Upon this acre was sunk one of the first wells in the city, and at the present time a windmill is standing over this well, erected for irrigation and other purposes. Dr. Mayo was quite a city identity. He was as well known as Colonel Light's monument, and his familiar figure will be missed by many young colonists as well as early pioneers. Years ago he was often seen passing through the streets mounted upon a long tailed white steed, which he sat with an erect, martial air; but subsequently be tried a rover bicycle, upon which he used to ride as far as Glenelg. He, however, gave this up for a three-wheeler, and it was quite a sight to see this fine, spirited practitioner at his advanced age facing the steep ascent to North Adelaide with as steady a pedal as a much younger cyclist. He cut quite a lively figure through the crowded streets of the city. He was a great advocate for physical exercise, and cycling commended itself to him. Being an enthusiastic wheelman it was no wonder that he was so very popular among cycists generally, being for some years a Vice-President of one or more of our cycling clubs.

Dr. Mayo married in July, 1840, a daughter of Mr. G. Gandy. Mrs. Mayo died in December, 1847, leaving two daughters—one the wife of the Rev. Richardson Reid, Incumbent of Trinity Church, Adelaide, and the other who married Dr. A. S. Paterson, the Colonial Surgeon — and one son, Mr. George Gibbes Mayo, of Adelaide, who accompanied the McKinlay Exploring Expedition sent out by the South Australian Government to the Northern Territory, and which started from Escape Cliffs, at Adam Bay. Dr. Mayo's second wife, whom he married when in England in 1852, was a daughter of Mr. H. S. Russell, H.E.I.C.S., and survives him. By this marriage there was issue a daughter, who married Mr. A. G. de la Poer Beresford.

Letter of Appreciation from the passengers of the Asia in 1839^[5]

LETTER OF APPRECIATION TO CAPTAIN MAYO On board the ASIA bound to South Australia, July 1839 To Geo. Mayo, Esq., Dear Sir, As we have now approached the end of our voyage, and consequently the termination of your arduous duties, allow us to express, on the occasion of our leaving, the confidence we have felt in your judgement in the trying cases you have had to contend with, and to assure you we have felt and seen those difficulties. And, for the kindness and sympathy you have shown to those parents whose hearts have been wrung by the dispensations of an all-wisw Providence, we return to you our sincere thanks (although a poor compensation) and as we understand you purpose [propose] remaining in the colony with us, we trust to shew our gratitude more substantially. Wishing every blessing may attend you, we remain respectfully yours

A second letter expresses similar thanks and good wishes, adding the same to the agents Messrs. Simpson and Pennington.

Both letter signed by more than seventy passengers.

DEATH OF DR. MAYO AN OLD AND HONORED COLONIST.

By the death of Dr. George Mayo the colony has lost one of its oldest and most honored colonists. Until quite recently there was no more familiar sight in the streets of the city than the figure of the hale white-headed old gentleman whom everybody knew as Dr. Mayo. He was a remarkable man, for when he had passed the three score years and ten allotted to man he was as hearty as many far younger than he. And when the bicycle craze set in, Dr. Mayo, not to be outdone by the youth of the city, abandoned his carriage, purchased a machine, and did most of his locomotion there with. General regret will be felt at his death, but all sorrow will be softened by the knowledge that the deceased gentleman lived to a ripe old age; that his career had been a useful one; and that he died without an enemy in the world.

Dr. Mayo died on Sunday morning at half past 2 o'clock at his residence, Morphett-street. For some few years his faculties had become somewhat impaired, and during the past few months he had grown gradually weaker. In his long life—he was in his 88th year—he had had no illness of serious import, but last Thursday morning he be came almost unconscious. During the after noon he got much better and seemed to tempo rarily recover his old spirits, but after that he relapsed and steadily sank. He lay quite still in a semi - unconscious state and life slowly ebbed away. His old friend and partner, Dr. Phillips, called on him frequently in his last illness, but, of course, could not do anything, Dr. Mayo dying of old age. Three years ago Dr. Mayo was attacked by a form of influenza. The illness was not of long duration, bat it made a change in him. Only a month or two ago the old gentleman, who always lived an active life, could be seen digging in his garden.

Mr. George Mayo, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, came from a good English family. He was the fourth son of the Rev. Joseph Mayo, M.A., and Mary Jane Mayo, nee Gibbes, and was born on January, 8, 1807, at Seend, Wilts, where his father was curate of the Anglican Church, an old and interesting edifice. Had the deceased lived until January 8 of next year he would have been 88 years of age. His father removed to a place called Nibley, and here in company with a number of young continental gentlemen the deceased, began his education under his father. He was educated for the medical profession, and studied at the Middlesex Hospital under his cousin, Professor Herbert Mayo, and became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of London on January 2, 1829. For eight years he practised at Devizes, Wilts, but he always had a desire to emigrate, and made his first voyage to South Australia in the Lady Emma in 1837, one year after the arrival of the surveying brig Rapid. He landed at Kangaroo Island, but did not long remain in the colony, going on to Tasmania. He returned to England almost at once, and in 1839 returned by the Asia to South Australia, where he fixed his residence and practised his profession. He visited England in 1851, and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons on December 11 of that year. He at once came back to the colony and became one of the leading medical men of South Australia.

He took a deep interest in the volunteer movement in the early days, and on October 6, 1859, he was appointed captain of the West Adelaide Volunteer Rifies, with rank from the 29th of the previous September, and was subsequently promoted to major in October, 1862, and to lieutenant-colonel on August 20, 1863. On August 2, 1865, he received the pre sentation of a silver salver and claret jug from the members of the corps bearing the inscription— Presented to Lieutenant-Colonel Mayo by the volun teers ot South Australia in recognition of his efficient services as commanding officer of the Adelaide Regiment : June, 1865.

The deceased gentleman was twice married— first on July 7, 1840, at Holy Trinity Church, Adelaide, to Maria, daughter of George Gandy. She died on December 15; 1847, and was buried at the West-terrace Cemetery. The children are :—Mrs. Reid, wife of the Rev. Richardson Reid, incumbent of Trinity Church; Mrs. Paterson, wife of the Colonial Surgeon ; and Mr George Gibbes Mayo, C.E. He married secondly while in England on Feb ruary 19,1852, at Holy Trinity, Upper Chelsea, Ellen Anne, daughter of H. S. Russell, of the Honorable East India Company's service, and leaves a daughter by this marriage, Ellen Stuart—Mrs. A. G. Beresford. The deceased gentleman was connected with the Adelaide Hospital Board for many years, and he was also an active member and surgeon of the Oddfellows' Lodge and laid the foundation stone of the Oddfellows' Hall in Franklin street. He was one of the earliest trustees of Trinity Church, being a member of it under the first incumbent, the Rev. C. Howard. He took a great interest in the work of restoring that sacred edifice, which was carried but a few years ago.

Dr. Mayo never took any public part in politics, and was an extremely reticent man. He was one of the guarantors of the Jubilee Exhibition, in which he manifested great interest. As before stated he was a keen advocate of cycling, and only two years ago he rode his tricycle down to Glenelg and back before breakfast to see an old friend. He gave up the practice of his profession several years-ago, and all he has done since was to prescribe for one or two old friends who called on him. He performed the first operation in Adelaide known as ovariotomy, which was successfully done without the use of anaesthetics. One of the feats of the deceased gentleman in the early days of the colony was to ride from the city to Port Victor and back the same day to see a patient. He rode his horse to Willunga, then had a change, and went with the second animal to Port Victor. In those times Dr. Mayo thought little of riding to Gawler and Port Gawler, where he used to visit the late Dr. Browne as medical adviser. ^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S9 http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/10188178/6151096914 Certainty: 0
2. ↑ Source: #S6 Ade 223 355 Certainty: 2
3. ↑ Source: #S7 Certainty: 2
4. ↑ Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), Saturday 22 December 1894, page 16
5. ↑ http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Asia.htm
6. ↑ DEATH OF DR. MAYO. (1894, December 17). The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA : 1867 - 1922), p. 2 (SECOND EDITION). http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article209045452

• Source: S6 SA BDM Publication: SA Genealogical Association South Australia Births Deaths and Marriages (Digger Index)
• Source: S7 Leadbeater, B FamilyHistorySA
• Source: S9 Misc. internet source